Fresh Christmas decorating ideas

FREE IMAGES There are still 2 more weekends before Christmas to get your decorations up.  Here are a few ideas to keep you seasonal decor looking inspired.

Love the outdoor lanterns used on the porch.

The orange here really adds an unexpected freshness.
via DigsDigs

Favorite childhood ornaments hang from the stair spindles - adorable...

via Celebrate and Decorate

I love the sweeping effect of the banister garland.

via All The Toppings

The crispness of the white decorations is so pretty.
via Clean & Scentsible

I would have LOVED these as a kid, and they are super cute.
Learn how to make them at Pink Pistachio.

Beautiful Christmas tree inspiration with Treetopia!

FREE IMAGES There's not many things that make your home prettier and cozier than a Christmas tree during the holidays.  This will be Chris and my first Christmas in our new home, and what better way to bring in the season then a tree?  Luckily, I was introduced to Treetopia, a company that makes ASTONISHINGLY realistic faux trees, as well as wreaths and garlands.  I chose the Brooklyn LED Spruce tree, and it's gotten nothing but complements so far.

I even put together a little video so you can watch the entire process of me setting it up:

Looks pretty easy right?!

As promised, here are some shots of our finished tree, along with some close-ups so you can see for yourself how realistic it is.

The folks at Treetopia gave me a little survey to fill out, which I'm sharing below.  I'd love to hear some of your answers to these questions!

How did you get your start? 

I was looking for ideas to decorate my studio apartment. I used as blog as a means to store all my ideas and other people started coming across it, and it just grew!

Favorite place to be for the holidays? 

On my parent's farm by the fire.

What are your favorite holiday traditions? 

Staying in and watching old Christmas movies with my mom and sisters.

How do you describe your holiday decorating style? 

Simple, but warm and cozy.

Favorite Holiday Food? 

My mom's lemon sweet breads!

Best Holiday Indulgence? 

Also my mom's lemon sweet breads!

Best Holiday Gift Ever Received? 

Managing to get my 3 sisters and I all together, even if only for an evening once a year!

Regifting - okay or not okay? 

Okay!  If you know the recipient will truly love it than giving it a new home and keeping one more thing out of a landfill or the attic is a good thing!

What is your favorite piece of holiday décor and why? 

My wooden nativity. It was passed down from my grandmother.

What are your favorite places to get holiday design inspiration? 

Other blogs.

What is the most over-the-top holiday design you've seen? 

Yards filled with inflatable seasonal characters.

Any holiday decorating tips you'd like to share? 

Sticking to a color scheme can really make your decor look chic and not just hodgepodge.

Mind sharing with us what you'll be doing for your home this Christmas?

My future in-laws are coming over, and we will also be heading to my parent's farm for Christmas brunch.

Don't forget to check out Treetopia!

My Christmas Wreath, other people's gorgeous wreaths, and Christmas mantel decorating ideas

FREE IMAGES Yup - another Christmas decorating inspiration post!  I've gathered up a bunch of wreath and mantel eye candy for you to enjoy!

Love this wreath of Noble Fir and Eucalyptus.  Love this one.
DIY here.

via Martha Stewart

A pretty glittery option - great if you're theme is white and metallics.

via Seasons of Joy

  The above is my first stab at wreath decorating.  After seeing the ones above, I can see I need a little practice, but I love the fuchsia ornaments! I also strung some fake pearls of various sizes together in little clusters, added some battery operated lights, and pinned on a few feathers I found at my parent's farm.  Yes - the greenery is fake, but it's from FMIL, so I had to make sure it was displayed...you know how that goes.

The Holiday Mantel, Demystified
from Eddie Ross for Country Living

The photo below has corresponding numbers with the tips for

1. Work what you've got. Ross started with the accessories that always sit on this ledge: the 1940s clock in the center and the matched pair of hurricanes at either end. 

2. Embrace asymmetrical symmetry. Moving inward from the hurricanes, he added objects that mimic each other, sort of.Note how the candlestick holding the textured gold ball is roughly the same height as the standing reindeer, though their shapes differ. Ditto the prone deer and the brass cup of paperwhites. 

3. Throw a major curveball. Next, Ross introduced items—the framed portrait and loving cup—that don't even pretend to parallel each other. The purpose: Infusing the whole scene with energy 

4. Fill in the blanks. The designer tucked gold garland throughout the arrangement. For a final stroke of genius, he draped glass beads from elk antlers hung on high. "The silver and gold strands help the mixed metals seem intentional," Ross says. 

 In the above photo: Ross purchased the silver-plate hurricanes at Costco, the deer figurines at Michaels, and the stockings on Etsy. The elk antlers are over 100 years old.

via Country Living

Love these canvases on the mantel , especially the one with the lights behind it!
via The Lovely Cupboard

via BHG

via HGTV